The FIFA World Cup 2026 will welcome the world’s best football nations, including 10 teams from Africa. Some of them are underdogs, but squads like Egypt are often considered “dark horses”. With some of the best players in the world, Egypt is a solid opponent that everyone has to respect.
We have a little over a month until the tournament in North America begins, so it’s time to take an in-depth look at the Pharaohs. We’ll start by checking the Egypt World Cup history, the team’s best players, what to look for when betting and its strengths and weaknesses.
Egypt at WC’26
Egypt return to the World Cup as one of Africa’s biggest dark horse teams, led by Mohamed Salah and backed by a strong qualification campaign.
Group G Opponents
Players to Watch
Team Profile
Star quality in attack, efficient wingers and strong counterattacking potential.
Heavy reliance on key players and defensive issues against technical opponents.
How Did Egypt Qualify for the 2026 World Cup?
Unlike in the Egypt World Cup qualifiers in 2022, the country had absolutely no issues in the current group. The team was in Group A alongside countries such as Sierra Leone, Guinea-Bissau, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and Burkina Faso. As expected, Egypt finished first after winning 8 matches and drawing 2. The result allowed the Pharaohs to secure a direct invitation to the 2026 World Cup.
Egypt’s World Cup History & Current FIFA Ranking
The successful Egypt World Cup qualifiers mean that the country will attend football’s biggest event for the 4th time. An interesting fact is that the Pharaohs first qualified for the competition in 1934. They became the first African and Arab nation to play at the finals and even scored 2 goals in the straight knockout match against Hungary.
Egypt missed out on many World Cups over the years, finally returning in 1990 and again in 2018. That said, the country has yet to win a single match.
After Egypt failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and missed out on many events before that, the country is back in action. This event is a golden opportunity for Mo Salah and the rest to affirm their standing as one of Africa’s best football nations.
In terms of the country’s current FIFA ranking, Egypt is ranked 29th. This is no surprise, considering the squad’s strong performance in the qualifiers and during AFCON 2025.
Egypt’s FIFA 2026 World Cup Group
After we reviewed Egypt’s World Cup history, it is time to focus on the country’s group. Following the draw, the Pharaohs ended up in Group G alongside the following nations:
- New Zealand
- Belgium
- Iran
Considering the current situation in the Middle East, this is going to be one of the most interesting groups to follow. Belgium is the big favorite here, but Egypt comes second and the country has real chances of reaching the next stage.
One potential problem Egypt may face is Iran’s withdrawal from the tournament. Assuming that happens, countries like Italy could take their place, and this will put the Pharaohs in a much more difficult position.
Egypt’s Star Players to Watch at the World Cup 2026
Among the big reasons why even people from other countries will support Egypt in North America is its players. Starting with Mohamed Salah, he is the team’s captain, the undisputed leader of the Pharaohs and perhaps the best African player. He has proven himself countless times with Liverpool and the national team, and everyone will be rooting for him next month.
Fortunately, Mo Salah is not the only top-tier player that Egypt has to offer because we also have Omar Marmoush. He is currently a part of Manchester City, and even though the latter missed out on the EPL this season, the player has shown his prowess.
Ibrahim Adel is another interesting name to keep an eye on and he is also one of the young talents. We can also add the likes of Mohamed El Shenawy, Ahmed Sayed, and many more. Although the Egypt World Cup Squad 2018 was good, we believe that this oen is even more impressive.
Egypt 2026 World Cup Betting Tips
People who’ve watched the Egypt vs Senegal World Cup qualifiers before know that the Pharaohs offer a lot of betting opportunities. Bookmakers from around the world will provide many options, so it’s important to know what to focus on. Here are a handful of aspects to consider:
- Wagering on Egypt to Advance from Group G might be a good idea – We already mentioned what’s going on there and Egypt has an excellent chance of succeeding.
- Under 2.5 goals vs Belgium – Despite having Mo Salah in its roster, we don’t think that the game vs Belgium will result in a lot of goals.
- Use Live Betting smartly – You can definitely find a lot of hidden opportunities, but you must be smart when deciding what to wager on.
- Track key player fitness – Egypt is one of the African football teams that depends heavily on a few players. Assuming Salah or Marmoush have issues, you have to be careful with what you bet on.
As for the odds to win the 2026 World Cup, most bookies will place Egypt at 300 (the same odds as those for the Ivory Coast).
Key Strengths and Weaknesses
Egypt’s biggest advantage over its opponents at the FIFA World Cup 2026 is its midfield core. Mohamed Salah and Ibrahim Sangare are among the best at their respective positions, and they will make a difference.
We also have to mention that Egypt’s wingers are also very efficient. This enables effective counterattacks.
Ironically, Egypt’s biggest strength is also its weakness. The team relies heavily on a few star players, so if something happens ot them, the squad will have issues.
Outside of that, Egypt’s defense has proven to be relatively weak compared to some of the other African teams. As a result, it could have issues against highly technical opponents.
Egypt World Cup 2026 FAQs
Will Mo Salah Play for Egypt at the 2026 World Cup?
Yes, Mohamed Salah will be a part of Egypt’s team and will play in the 2026 World Cup.
Why didn’t Egypt qualify for the World Cup in 2022?
The team failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup because it made several mistakes in the qualifiers.
Will Egypt host the World Cup in the future?
This is very unlikely, considering that the country lacks the needed infrastructure. However, we may see a joint hosting of several North African countries at some point in the future.
